Maple Ridge in Tulsa in Tulsa County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
William G. Skelly House
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 8, 2025
1. William G. Skelly House Marker
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 36° 7.988′ N, 95° 58.805′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is in Maple Ridge. It is at the intersection of South Madison Avenue and East 21st Street, on the left when traveling south on South Madison Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2101 S Madison Ave, Tulsa OK 74120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation and specifically in the Cherokee Nation. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Aaronson Mansion (approx. Ό mile away); Not Just a Ball Game (approx. 0.6 miles away); Creek Stickball Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Creek Nation Council Oak Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mary Veasey Leech (approx. 0.6 miles away); Swan Lake (approx. 0.6 miles away); Moore Manor (approx. 0.7 miles away); McGregor House (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.
Regarding William G. Skelly House. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
William G. Skelly, oil producer, refiner, and marketer, was born on farm near Erie, Pa., June 10, 1878. He went to work for the Oil well Supply Company at Oil City, Pa., in 1894, at 16, was associated with that company until leaving for the Spanish-American War in 1898. Following his discharge he returned to the oil and gas business in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. In 1911 his company moved into the Electra Field in North Texas. In 1913 he located in Tulsa and there he remained until his death April 10, 1957.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 20252. William G. Skelly House MarkerPlaque is left of the front door. The house presently is owned by the University of Tulsa, which uses the first floor for special events and the second floor as its president's residence.
Skelly bought the three-story, neo-classic Skelly House in 1923 while it was still under construction by a family named Travis. It remained in the Skelly family until 1968. From 1963 to 1978 it was owned by James R. Jones, presently U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 1st district. As this is being written [in 1978] it has been bought by Tulsa architect John Brooks Walton, who plans a careful restoration.
Also see . . .
1. William G. Skelly House (PDF). National Register nomination for the property, which was listed in 1978. (Prepared by Kent Ruth, Oklahoma Historical Society; via State Historic Preservation Office of Oklahoma) (Submitted on May 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Skelly, William Grove (1878-1957). Tulsa oilman and philanthropist William Grove "Bill" Skelly was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on June 10, 1878. He was one of six children of Irish and English immigrants William and Mary Jane Sweatman Skelly. (Ken Anderson, The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture) (Submitted on May 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Oklahoma Leaders: Biographical Sketches of
, Rex Harlow; via Google Books (Public Domain), circa 1928
3. William Grove Skelly (1878-1957)
In addition to oil and gas, he also had interests in aircraft manufacturing, radio and television. Among his civic projects were leading the fundraising to build the Tulsa Municipal Airport and funding The University of Tulsa's football stadium and radio station.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
